ot- parents with school age children

Im am totally despairing. My ds is 4, he started school in september and has slowly been learning his letters. He is struggling with this but slowly is getting there. Yesterday he came home with sentences to read. Joey is 4 and cannot read. He comes home from school every night with homework. He doesn't want to do it after being at school all day but is now falling behind. Any tips on making my job easier to get him to learn how to do this? I just hit a brick wall everytime. Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read. I could sit and cry.

Im am totally despairing. My ds is 4, he started school in september and has slowly been learning his letters. He is struggling with this but slowly is getting there. Yesterday he came home with sentences to read. Joey is 4 and cannot read. He comes home from school every night with homework. He doesn't want to do it after being at school all day but is now falling behind. Any tips on making my job easier to get him to learn how to do this? I just hit a brick wall everytime. Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read. I could sit and cry.

I know you didnt mean to post here, but my twins are 5 so heres my outlook on this. He will get it he is only four, turn it into fun time, i started out giving 15 min for hw now i set aside 30 to 45 min to complete it, that way its less stress on you and them if it takes longer, we sit down with a snack pop corn, m&ms, apples slices whatever, munch while you work, ive also found through trial and error that if we were working on say letter a if i drew the letter with my popcorn and was like whoa! How did that happen!!! It would make them laugh and buy me a bit more attention span. Make it as fun as possible, laugh at the sentences, sing songs about the book ( even if u sound crazy!) and if it doesnt work talk to the teacher! hes in kindergarden not harvard it shouldnt be stressful!

I know you didnt mean to post here, but my twins are 5 so heres my outlook on this. He will get it he is only four, turn it into fun time, i started out giving 15 min for hw now i set aside 30 to 45 min to complete it, that way its less stress on you and them if it takes longer, we sit down with a snack pop corn, m&ms, apples slices whatever, munch while you work, ive also found through trial and error that if we were working on say letter a if i drew the letter with my popcorn and was like whoa! How did that happen!!! It would make them laugh and buy me a bit more attention span. Make it as fun as possible, laugh at the sentences, sing songs about the book ( even if u sound crazy!) and if it doesnt work talk to the teacher! hes in kindergarden not harvard it shouldnt be stressful!

That sounds good actually making letters out of snacks. Thankyou! Im just upset because i don't want him to be the dunce of the class. Im going to pop and speak with his teacher when i pick him up and see what sort of stage the other kids are at. Im finding it difficult to beleive that a reception class who have been at school just 4 weeks are already able to read.

That sounds good actually making letters out of snacks. Thankyou! Im just upset because i don't want him to be the dunce of the class. Im going to pop and speak with his teacher when i pick him up and see what sort of stage the other kids are at. Im finding it difficult to beleive that a reception class who have been at school just 4 weeks are already able to read.

I'm having a similar problem with my kindergartener. I think my stress is contributing : (. DH keeps telling me it's only kindergarten! I was upset when she missed two sight words and didn't get a new list :(. Blamed myself for not doing enough at home. She does sloppy on some of her papers at school and I finally started to realize she gets tired at school (it's an all day program). Not much I can do about that...thanks to PP for reminding us to keep it fun :) and a great idea to use snacks. Will definitely try that. So while I have no advice, know you are not alone!

I'm having a similar problem with my kindergartener. I think my stress is contributing : (. DH keeps telling me it's only kindergarten! I was upset when she missed two sight words and didn't get a new list :(. Blamed myself for not doing enough at home. She does sloppy on some of her papers at school and I finally started to realize she gets tired at school (it's an all day program). Not much I can do about that...thanks to PP for reminding us to keep it fun :) and a great idea to use snacks. Will definitely try that. So while I have no advice, know you are not alone!

I agree with making it fun! I used to make up silly songs to help him recognize the letters :) it's funny...I remember kindergarten being nothing but fun! Crafts and playing outside...I never had homework!

I agree with making it fun! I used to make up silly songs to help him recognize the letters :) it's funny...I remember kindergarten being nothing but fun! Crafts and playing outside...I never had homework!

Why are you expected to teach your son to read?! Because these "highly paid" teachers have 25 kids in their class and can't hold the hand of each one. They have to teach them all and if there are a few that obviously need extra help, that is a PARENTS JOB. It sounds like you need to have a meeting with his teacher to have a better idea of what you son needs help with and how to help him. It is up to you THE PARENT to make sure he doesn't fall behind. Your kid, your responsibility.

Why are you expected to teach your son to read?! Because these "highly paid" teachers have 25 kids in their class and can't hold the hand of each one. They have to teach them all and if there are a few that obviously need extra help, that is a PARENTS JOB. It sounds like you need to have a meeting with his teacher to have a better idea of what you son needs help with and how to help him. It is up to you THE PARENT to make sure he doesn't fall behind. Your kid, your responsibility.

Definitely make it fun! My 4yo comes home from school, has a play and a snack, we look at some words together, have our evening meal then read a book or make up a story together. She does about 1hr of homework each day, she doesn't know it though!! And each weekend she has a homework project set, we spend 4-6 hours on it, but again she doesn't realise! Last week was a nature project so we went out with a camera and a basket!

Definitely make it fun! My 4yo comes home from school, has a play and a snack, we look at some words together, have our evening meal then read a book or make up a story together. She does about 1hr of homework each day, she doesn't know it though!! And each weekend she has a homework project set, we spend 4-6 hours on it, but again she doesn't realise! Last week was a nature project so we went out with a camera and a basket!

Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read.

Are you serious? It's parents like you that make a teacher's job so difficult. While we are certainly responsible for teaching children to read and write- we are not the only ones. YOU are your child's first teacher. How selfish to make such a fuss about teaching your child.

I have to teach 28 5 year olds how to read and write. Yes, I get paid a whopping 40k/year, but it's quite an important task that can't be done by just one person. Shame on your for complaining about helping your ONE child.

Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read.

Are you serious? It's parents like you that make a teacher's job so difficult. While we are certainly responsible for teaching children to read and write- we are not the only ones. YOU are your child's first teacher. How selfish to make such a fuss about teaching your child.

I have to teach 28 5 year olds how to read and write. Yes, I get paid a whopping 40k/year, but it's quite an important task that can't be done by just one person. Shame on your for complaining about helping your ONE child.

Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read.

Are you serious? It's parents like you that make a teacher's job so difficult. While we are certainly responsible for teaching children to read and write- we are not the only ones. YOU are your child's first teacher. How selfish to make such a fuss about teaching your child.

I have to teach 28 5 year olds how to read and write. Yes, I get paid a whopping 40k/year, but it's quite an important task that can't be done by just one person. Shame on your for complaining about helping your ONE child.

Teachers are paid around 40 thousand pounds a year so why am i expected to teach my son to read.

Are you serious? It's parents like you that make a teacher's job so difficult. While we are certainly responsible for teaching children to read and write- we are not the only ones. YOU are your child's first teacher. How selfish to make such a fuss about teaching your child.

I have to teach 28 5 year olds how to read and write. Yes, I get paid a whopping 40k/year, but it's quite an important task that can't be done by just one person. Shame on your for complaining about helping your ONE child.

My point was my child can't read. He as been at school for 4 weeks and is bringing home sentences to read. He is still learning his letters. The teacher comment was a bit o.t.t and i shouldn't have said it. A teachers whole purpose is to teach a child with assisted support of parents. i understand this but to send him home work that he hasn't a rats a.s.s of completing is ridiculous. How can he read them when he doesn't know his letters. I was after ways of making learning more fun for him. I didn't mean to offend you but if hes not learning the basics at school how can i encourage him at home?

My point was my child can't read. He as been at school for 4 weeks and is bringing home sentences to read. He is still learning his letters. The teacher comment was a bit o.t.t and i shouldn't have said it. A teachers whole purpose is to teach a child with assisted support of parents. i understand this but to send him home work that he hasn't a rats a.s.s of completing is ridiculous. How can he read them when he doesn't know his letters. I was after ways of making learning more fun for him. I didn't mean to offend you but if hes not learning the basics at school how can i encourage him at home?

It's your job to teach your kid the basics! I would never send my kid to kindergarten expecting the teacher to teach them letters.(Unless there was a learning disability) My son is almost 4 and he knows all of the letters and he can count to 20 and recognize numbers up to 10. He wont start kindergarten until he is 5 and a half, and I will keep working with him so he will be prepared to learn and his teacher won't have to teach him the basics.

It's your job to teach your kid the basics! I would never send my kid to kindergarten expecting the teacher to teach them letters.(Unless there was a learning disability) My son is almost 4 and he knows all of the letters and he can count to 20 and recognize numbers up to 10. He wont start kindergarten until he is 5 and a half, and I will keep working with him so he will be prepared to learn and his teacher won't have to teach him the basics.

You can encourage him at home by making homework a routine. Of course children aren't going to want to do more work, so don't make it work. Read a fun story together, try to pick out familiar words and then get to the homework. Pick out words and letters than are familiar and just do what he is able to. You just reading it with him is helpful enough. Exposure is the best way to learn to read.

I do think it is odd, though, that your 4 year old is learning to read. Preschool usually does not even attempt reading. Kindergarten- and later in the year- is the norm. Maybe you are misunderstanding the assignment and there is something simpler you should be doing.

When in doubt, talk to his teacher. Communication is key.

You can encourage him at home by making homework a routine. Of course children aren't going to want to do more work, so don't make it work. Read a fun story together, try to pick out familiar words and then get to the homework. Pick out words and letters than are familiar and just do what he is able to. You just reading it with him is helpful enough. Exposure is the best way to learn to read.

I do think it is odd, though, that your 4 year old is learning to read. Preschool usually does not even attempt reading. Kindergarten- and later in the year- is the norm. Maybe you are misunderstanding the assignment and there is something simpler you should be doing.

At that age, it would be most appropriate to read the sentances with him... encourage him to repeat or say the words with you, point out letters and have him sound out words, follow along with your finger when reading...there are many ways you can do this homework with him even if he cannot read.

At that age, it would be most appropriate to read the sentances with him... encourage him to repeat or say the words with you, point out letters and have him sound out words, follow along with your finger when reading...there are many ways you can do this homework with him even if he cannot read.

A parent should be reading to their children when they are young. A parent should be pointing out letters and numbers to their children. They should be singing the ABC song with their kids. If these things are done, by the time a child is 4 years old, they should at least have a basic understanding of their letters. My 2 and 3 year olds, know their alphabet. My 2 year old mumbles some of the letters but she gets most of it. My 3 year old can recognize simple words like "cat" and "dog". He knows how to write his name and can spell it when asked. I don't sit down and "teach" them. I don't go over flashcards with them. They learned these things from daily fun and reading. It should NOT be just the teachers responsibility. It is a parents responsibility to teach their children simple things like the ABC song and to read to them daily. Reading to your children helps them to recognize letters and to be able learn vocabulary without actually sitting down and "teaching" them. Don't blame the teachers for your lack of parenting.

A parent should be reading to their children when they are young. A parent should be pointing out letters and numbers to their children. They should be singing the ABC song with their kids. If these things are done, by the time a child is 4 years old, they should at least have a basic understanding of their letters. My 2 and 3 year olds, know their alphabet. My 2 year old mumbles some of the letters but she gets most of it. My 3 year old can recognize simple words like "cat" and "dog". He knows how to write his name and can spell it when asked. I don't sit down and "teach" them. I don't go over flashcards with them. They learned these things from daily fun and reading. It should NOT be just the teachers responsibility. It is a parents responsibility to teach their children simple things like the ABC song and to read to them daily. Reading to your children helps them to recognize letters and to be able learn vocabulary without actually sitting down and "teaching" them. Don't blame the teachers for your lack of parenting.

Ive always read to him, im a book lover so have always enjoyed reading to him.he can also write his name. I don't know what age kindergarten is in the u.s but in the u.k where i am. children start learning to read at 4 when they start school. Ive sorted out some of his toys that help with letters numbers etc and we will be doing this over the weekend. He knows all his numbers and shapes, colours etc so ive got him this far im sure we will work it out. Thanks everyone.

Ive always read to him, im a book lover so have always enjoyed reading to him.he can also write his name. I don't know what age kindergarten is in the u.s but in the u.k where i am. children start learning to read at 4 when they start school. Ive sorted out some of his toys that help with letters numbers etc and we will be doing this over the weekend. He knows all his numbers and shapes, colours etc so ive got him this far im sure we will work it out. Thanks everyone.

Anyway at no point did i say i don't read with my son!! Many posters got where i was coming from. I can understand the teacher being annoyed because i did insult her profession but some of you guys just spoil for a row!!!

Anyway at no point did i say i don't read with my son!! Many posters got where i was coming from. I can understand the teacher being annoyed because i did insult her profession but some of you guys just spoil for a row!!!

my son will be 4 in november and at his headstart they are using a thing called zoophonics you can youtube it its awesome he knows all his letters and the sounds they make you can also try a dvd called letter factory its made by leapfrog

my son will be 4 in november and at his headstart they are using a thing called zoophonics you can youtube it its awesome he knows all his letters and the sounds they make you can also try a dvd called letter factory its made by leapfrog

Homework is the way of life while in school. It helps the child remeber lessons taught in the classroom. You son is most likely falling behind, because he is not doing homework. It is the parent's job to be involved and extend what the chilf learns in school to home.

I personally set up a homework area for my child. She is not allowed to play until the work is done which is scheduled to take at least an hour.

Homework is the way of life while in school. It helps the child remeber lessons taught in the classroom. You son is most likely falling behind, because he is not doing homework. It is the parent's job to be involved and extend what the chilf learns in school to home.

I personally set up a homework area for my child. She is not allowed to play until the work is done which is scheduled to take at least an hour.

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